2) I've been using the Telus 3.17.661.2 from the Viper thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1868236) and it's worked great in NH / MA. Honestly, I've never really had issue with any radios, but this one definitely is an improvement over whatever I had stock.

Reception and battery life are subject to exact geographic location, and other variables. .

It seems the OP understands that the best radio is geographically related, but may be underestimating the degree to which that is true. Radio reception is often specific to the town, even the cell tower(s) at your location. So the statement of "Massachusetts" is insufficient. The map data on the Google Map linked in the radio/RIL thread also does not have much data in Massachusetts. OP may have to take a trial-and-error approach.

Its also not clear what the OP is trying to achieve: are you experiencing reception or battery life issues? Flashing radios may not even get a better result that you currently have. But if you don't tell us the start condition, we have no way of knowing where you are trying to get to.

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